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Unit 3 - Indigenous Peoples and the Land

History – Part A

Prior to colonization, which started in the 17th century, First Nations peoples lived throughout Alberta in small villages or nomadic units. These smaller units combined to form larger nations which were governed by chiefs and leaders. Today’s national and provincial borders did not exist and nomadic groups moved throughout the continent, but in general, stayed loosely within geographic boundaries and made alliances and treaties between nations to prevent fighting for resources. Regardless of region or nationality, the First Nations peoples fostered a spiritual relationship with the land. They believed that they were stewards of the land who should take care of the environment and use only the resources needed. A well-established trade route moved goods like tobacco, furs and pelts, oils and medicines throughout North and South America.
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Nomadic does not mean wandered aimlessly. Movements were strategic based on resources and time of year – this was known as a “seasonal round”. Making their home in tipis for mobility, they lived in small bands or hunting groups for most of the year. Depending on resources, these groups could be very small or could have more than 100 people. If food was scarce, they would break-off into smaller groups. In the southern and central part of modern day Alberta (Treaty 6 and 7), movements were centred around the bison (buffalo). Further north (Treaty 8), movements were centred around the availability of other resources.

  • In the winter, they lived in semi-permanent camps in forested areas near rivers as bison, deer, and moose wintered in the trees where the snow was less deep. This allowed them to continue to hunt. The camps were about a day’s hike apart, so they did not compete for resources, but were still within travelling distance.
  • In the spring when the bison and deer moved on to the plains, the band would follow.
  • Summer was when groups would come together for ceremonies, socializing, trading, and communal hunting.
  • Finally, in the fall, groups separated again. In the south, (Treaties 6 and  7) bison jumps and pounds, like the one at Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump UNESCO Heritage Site, were used to harvest enough dry meat and pemmican for the winter.
Within Alberta there were many different First Nations separated by geographical location, culture and language differences.

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Treaties are agreements between nations that outline the rights and responsibilities of each nation. Treaty agreements were signed between tribal chiefs and leaders and a representative of the British government. Treaty negotiation was not new to the First Nations people; as mentioned, they had treaties amongst themselves for a variety of reasons. Thus, they were tough negotiators. However, they were at a disadvantage because they:

  • did not speak or read the language the treaties were written in.
  • were weakened from diseases such as smallpox brought by the European colonizers.
  • were displaced by settlers or other tribes attempting to move away from settlers.
  • were impacted by dwindling buffalo and deer populations from overhunting because of the fur trade and increased demand.
  • were unfamiliar with the European concept of land ownership.
  • could not foresee the impact treaties and reserves would have on their people.


Still, the First Nations leaders were also aware of agreements signed previously in the east as the British government negotiated to move First Nations peoples on to reserves to make room for settlers. Eleven of these treaties, referred to as Numbered Treaties, were signed between 1871 and 1921.

In general, these treaties were oral agreements between the First Nations leaders and a representative of the British Crown. Often the written version of the agreement omitted some of the oral promises. For this reason, as well as differences in cultural perspectives, there have been many disagreements about Canada’s obligations to First Nations and the rights of the First Nations peoples throughout the years. Most First Nations note that their leaders only agreed to sign the treaties because it was their understanding that the Crown did not want to buy but borrow or share the land. Since their signing, both provincial, federal and First Nation governments have sought clarification and interpretation of the treaties through the court system. In 1997, the Supreme Court of Canada ruled that oral tradition is equal to written historical documentation.

Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada